Boy who suffered cardiac arrest during soccer game dies

An 11-year-old boy who went into cardiac arrest last week during a soccer game has died.

SALT LAKE CITY — An 11-year-old boy who went into cardiac arrest last week during a soccer game has died.

Alan Zapata was playing an indoor soccer match Jan. 3 when he told his coach he had a headache and asked to sit out of the game. His coach, Ludwig Sanchez, pulled him from the game and said the boy collapsed, started breathing rapidly and then stopped breathing altogether.

It was determined that Alan had gone into cardiac arrest, and his coaches performed CPR until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the emergency room before being airlifted to Primary Children's Medical Center.

According to a post on a Facebook page set up as a fundraiser for the boy's family, Alan was taken off life support around 11:45 p.m.

Doctors still plan to perform an autopsy to determine whether Alan had a genetic condition that caused his death and may affect his siblings. Those hoping to help with medical expenses can donate to the "Utah Futbol Club Alan Zapata" fund at any Wells Fargo location.